SPIRE Application Open for PhD’s and Postdocs Due 2/1

Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research and Education (SPIRE)
http://spire.unc.edu
Applications due: February 1, 2013

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) and collaborating minority serving institutions in the state of North Carolina are seeking outstanding candidates for a unique NIH-supported postdoctoral training fellowship.  Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research and Education (SPIRE) is designed for scientists interested in academic careers that emphasize both research and teaching.  These multi-year fellowships will enable the postdocs to pursue independent, original research in one of over 100 UNC-CH laboratories representing diverse disciplines aligned with the mission on the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and training in science education, instructional technology-supported learning, and professional skills.

The scholars receive mentored, practical classroom experience by training at our partner institutions and designing and teaching undergraduate courses.  In addition, SPIRE’s collaborations enable scholars to contribute to achieving diversity in science professions.  Each fellowship includes salary, health insurance, and participation in a Seminar on College Teaching, a grant writing initiative, and other professional development workshops.  As a Community of Postdoctoral Scholars, SPIRE scholars administer a Distinguished Scholar seminar series for the larger scientific community.

Applicants can be either new Ph.D.s or postdocs with up to two years postgraduate training at the time of appointment.  Underrepresented candidates, including those with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply.   Salaries are commensurate with NIH guidelines for experience.  Candidates should send a CV, a letter explaining their research and teaching interests and how the SPIRE program will help them to achieve their career goals, and three letters of reference to Dr. Brian Rybarczyk, SPIRE Coordinator, brybar@unc.edu.  All application materials must be received by February 1, 2013 for fellowships beginning September 1, 2013.  For further information about the SPIRE program and the application process, please visit our website at http://spire.unc.edu .  UNC-CH is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.